Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: grace

Devotional For August 14, 2023

Encouragement

Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬

Paul humbly acknowledges his own unworthiness while considering the awesome privilege he was given. He recognizes that despite his past, God entrusted him with the task of sharing the Gospel of Christ with the Gentiles. This verse reminds us of the grace and love that God pours into our lives even though we don’t deserve it.

Paul’s humility is striking. He acknowledges himself as the “least deserving,” highlighting his past as a persecutor of Christians. Equally, it makes it known to us that our qualifications are not based on our merits, but on God’s grace.

The phrase “endless treasures available to them in Christ” speaks of the riches found in a relationship with Jesus. Through Christ, we have access to forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life. These treasures are cherished by everyone who knows they have been saved and transformed by the blood of Jesus.

As believers, it is important that we share these treasures with others. Just as Paul was called to bring the message to the Gentiles, we too are called to share the good news with those around us. Our transformed lives become a living testimony of God’s love and grace, inviting others to experience the same endless treasures in Christ.

Let Ephesians 3:8 encourage you today to embrace the gift of grace. Let go of any self-righteousness and rely on the grace of God for all aspects of your life. Allow your testimony to be a way to shathe gospel message to those who need the transforming power of Christ in their life.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the unsearchable riches available in Christ. Help me acknowledge my unworthiness and humbly accept the privilege of sharing Your message of grace. Help me to embrace the treasures found in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Devotional For August 13, 2023

Encouragement

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭1

Our acceptance by God is on the basis of grace through faith. We can’t earn it and we definitely don’t deserve it. God offers His righteousness so that we may be accepted through His Son, Jesus Christ. That’s grace!

Paul told the Philippian jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31) There was nothing that he needed to do but believe and receive. Grace secures our position in Christ as being right with God. 

Paul ultimately says in today’s verse, “Since we have been given grace we work toward complete holiness because we desire to honor God.” We honor God when we pursue holiness. Holiness isn’t about achieving perfection, it’s about aligning our life with God’s standards.

As we embrace this call to holiness, let’s remember that God’s promises empower us to overcome the pull of worldly influences. The more we focus on His promises and rely on His strength, the more we’ll be able to cleanse ourselves from the filthiness that hinders our spiritual growth.

Are you pursuing holiness today? Can you see the visible changes in your life since you’ve received the righteousness of Jesus Christ?

Pray

Lord, thank You for the promises that motivate me to pursue holiness. Help me to identify and remove anything that hinders my relationship with You. Fill me with a deep reverence for Your presence and an unwavering desire to live in a way that reflects Your character. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Devotional For August 12, 2023

Encouragement

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6

How well do you manage your stress? God knows that we are going to face stressful situations so He teaches us how to manage it. When Christ is the center of our lives, we experience supernatural strength to push through and accomplish a life of more peace.

Paul was writing to encourage believers to endure. However, he was under great stress for preaching the Gospel. You would think God would have changed his circumstances, but instead God strengthened Paul to endure with grace. In today’s verse Paul gives us three practical steps to successfully manage our stress.

Don’t Worry – Paul encourages us to not worry. Worrying is like pouring gasoline on a fire. It makes every situation worse. Instead of worrying, trust that God is in control. 90% of the things we worry about never happen. So why worry?

Pray – If we spend more time praying to the One who can solve our problems, we would have less stress. The problem sometimes is we spend more time worrying than we do praying. Pray about everything!

Give thanks – Have you ever thanked God for your problems? God gives us strength and knowledge to overcome. We should be thankful that God is giving us what we need to make our situation better.

Pray

Lord, help me not to worry so much about the things that You already have control over. Give me strength to push through the difficulties that I am facing today. Thank You for the grace that sustains my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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